I downloaded and installed the latest version of Chrome for Linux on my copy of 64-bit Linux Mint 7, today. Thinking nothing of it, I went on with my normal procedures. Then, Michael Klurfeld posted a Digg link to one of TechGeist’s stories. At the top of the story was an embedded YouTube video. Fully expecting it to show a big blank space as Chrome on Linux always has where a YouTube video should appear, I went on with reading the story.

I then looked up and noticed that the YouTube player had loaded and was showing the first frame of the video with the standard “Play” emblem in the middle of it. “This must just be a screen shot or something, like YouTube uses on their home page,” I thought, at first. Just for kicks, I decided to click the video anyway.

Alex Wilhelm, one of our friends over at TechGeist, made a post yesterday about the resurgence of Microsoft. Alex posits that there have been over the last few months and will be over the next few months many occurrences that, by themselves, look rather innocent; but, put together, are propelling Microsoft back to the top of the tech world. For the most part, I agree with him. I think Microsoft has made giant strides within the last year or so to improve its image among techies and non-techies alike.

To begin with, the laptop hunter ads have been extremely effective at pointing out the advantages of purchasing a Microsoft PC rather than a Mac. In addition, the Xbox 360, in spite of its technical difficulties (RROD, laser burn, etc.) has consistently dominated the Playstation 3. This fall, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 7, the Zune HD, multiple exclusive games for the Xbox 360 and will most likely begin revealing details about the new WinPhone (which is the term being used to replace Windows Mobile) operating system and devices. Really, though, Microsoft’s journey back toward the top of the heap (though, it’s debatable as to whether they were ever truly unseated) has been a fairly even mix of innovation and simply good marketing.